GRAVE PERIL OF SERBIAN ARMY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2622, 18 November 1915, Page 5

GRAVE PERIL OF SERBIAN ARMY

RETREAT AND DISARMAMENT DISCUSSED . WHAT'WILL GREECE DO ? ■ BIG MOVE IN THE WEST WHO BLUNDERED AT LOOS ? BRITISH STAFF HEADQUARTERS CMTIffiEP RUSSIANS FIGHTING PITCHED BATTLE : ■ [The local postal and telegraph authorities have received the following report from i Marseilles: —"The French Government reports that all lines are ■working at normal again."] The' news from the Balkans to-day is darkened by the shadow of an approaching crisis in the fortunes of the gallant Serbian Army. The situation at Monastir is almost alarming, and the war-worn heroes, exhausted by their prodigious efforts, aro being called on to face fresh masses of troops. Side by side with this development is the question of what will happen if the Serbs and 'their Allied friends are forced to retire into Greek territory, and the reported statements on this problem mention a neutral zone as an alternative to disarmament. Meanwhile,' public 'opinion in Italy considers that Greece should be pulled up sharply, and requested to make a definite statement as to her attitude, The French success on the Oherna has materialised into a solid victory after thirty-six hours of hard fighting. The British Minister at Athens is reported to have gono to Mudros to meet Lord Kitchener. In the Russian theatre important events are rapidly developing. A pitched battlo is reported to bo in progress oil the Middle Styr. The artillery duel in the West is rapidly assuming all the characteristics of the preliminary to a grand attack, and there , is a general feeling of expectancy about the reports. ■ Official rumours are in circulation concerning General Joffre and Lord Kitchener—that the former is to be appointed, or has been appointed, Generalissimo of the. Allied armies in all the war theatres, and the latter Com-mander-in-Chief in ,the Near East. The rumour emanates from America. Lord Fisher has replied to Mr. Churchill in a speech that is described as the shortest maiden oration that has ever been delivered in the House of Lords. A sharp debate is also reported from the Houso of Lords on the subject of the British failure to press home tho victory at Loos, and the British Staff Headquarters in the field has come in for criticism. The debate was terminated by the Government's announcement that this matter is at present engaging the attention of a military, inquiry, and therefore sub-judice. . J MOMENTOUS NEWS FROM THE BALKANS PLIGHT OF THE SERBS " ALMOST ALARMING" URGENT COUNTER-MEASURES CALLED FOR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, November 16. The latest news from Salonika regarding the Serbian army is almost alarmng. The Bulgarians, considerably reinforced, have attempted a Hanking movenent westward of Babuna Pass from the Tetovo region, threatening Prilcp and ;hus eventually Monastir. ' It is reported that the French were compelled to retire at two points at 3radska. It is evident that the situation in Macedonia is developing rapidly, md requires urgent counter-measures. Foreign diplomatists in Serbia" are rimseeding to Scutari instead of Monastir. PERILOUS PLIGHT OF MONASTIR ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. November 17, 5.25 p.m.) London, November 16. Reports from Milan state that the Monastir section is in a perilous plight, die Serbs, terribly weakened by their prodigious resistance, have beon called in to meet masses of fresh troops. Large quantities of munitions and guns are going through Bulgaria to Turkey. The first of the big guns destined for the Dardanelles have already irrived at Constantinople. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports: ' t,- ~i r> i • i i London, November 17, 3.30 p.m. "In the Near Bast tne Bulgarians heavy attacks were repulsed with' ereat ossos oil tho left bfuik .of the Cerua. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. November 17, 9.55 p.m.) , _ . . . , . , Paris, November 17. A French official communique states: "Violent attacks by tho Bulbars on ;hc Cerna were renewed on November 14, but all were repulsed witlT heavy osses. "There is a calm everywhere on the left bank of the Yardar." \ ; IF THE WORST COMES TO THE WORST WILL GREECE DISARM THE ALLIES 1 ("Times" and Sydnoy "Sun" Services.) ■ London, November 16. "Tho Times" _ Athens correspondent says: "The question of the possible rehreat of tho Serbian and the_ Allied troops into Greece is creating much excitencnt, and the Gel-man pretensions that Greece may disarm these troops are iccupying the Government's serious attention. Friends of the Entente consider that- Greece's assurances of extreme benevolence, even after tho disembarkition of tho Allied troops at Salonika, exclude the possibility of unfriendly action, but tho. exchango of views continues, with the intention of-positively fixing Sreece's attitude." Tho "Echo de Paris" correspondent says that the question of the disarmament of the Allied troops is prominent. The Skouloudis Cabinet, after examining the decisions of the past Cabinet, believes that the Allies should recognise jreece's decision todisarm any retreating army. M. Skouloudis has beon convert»d by his anti-Venizelist colleagues, who, under M. Gounaris, aro holding tho lielm. Tho Yenizelists may not offer candidates at the elections. Ninety Venizelist Deputies of military ago have applied to the War Minister for leave of absence. Leave has been refused. "Hie Times," in a leader, declares that it does not think there is any serious basis for the statement that Greece intends to interfere with Serbs crossing tho frontier. "Tho Allies' position is clear; they sent troops at the inritation of Grceco. Obviously Greece is iinablo to vary tho permission, which includes egress as well as ingress. We assnmo that the Allies have made known to tho Greek Government their sense of tho potential gravity of the issue, and ire jzcttine definite and cxnlioit guarantees."'

SOME TALK OF A NEUTRAL ZONE. Athens, November IG. Iu response to the Entente's representations, M. Skouloudis has offered to place the Serbians on the same footing as tho Entente in the event of retreat into Greece. There is some talk of establishing a neutral zone. ALLIED ARMIES 100,000 STRONG. Athens, November 16. 'Altogether a hundred thousand Allies have landed at Salonika, greatly impressing tho Greeks. THE FRENCH SUCCESS AT THE BATTLE OF THE CHERNA A THIRTY-SIX HOURS' ENGAGEMENT. London, November 16. Tho battle on the River Oherna between, the French and Bulgarians lasted thirty-six hours. It was exceedingly hot. Some three Bulgarian divisions were repulsed, with the heaviest losses, after a fruitless and desperate effort to pierce the French centre. It was an undoubted French success. LORD KITCHENER'S MOVEMENTS ( London, November 16. Router's correspondent at Athens states that Sii; Francis Elliot (British Minister at Athens) has gone to meet Lord Kitchener at Mudros. "WE MUST NOT BE FOOLED BY GREECE." (Rec. November 17, 7 p.m.) London, November 16. The "Echo de Paris" Rome correspondent states that public opinion in Italy approves the point of view of the French Press—that the Quadruple Entente should not be fooled by Greece. Should the need arise, vigorous measures will be essential in order to compel Greece to adopt a definite attitude. KING CONSTANTINE AND THE GERMAN CRUISERS. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. November 17, 5.25 p.m.) London, November 16. The Greek Minister in London has been authorised to deny the statement that King Constantine helped the ex-German warships Breslau and Goeben to coal. They did not call near Athens. [It was reported that King Constantine, without cons\vlting the Greek Parliament, had ordered that facilities should be given the Goeben and the Breslau for coaling in Greek waters.] THE RUMOURED GRECO-BULGARIAN AGREEMENT. ("Times" aud Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. November 17, 5.9,5 p.m.) London, November 16. Budapest (Hungarian) papers assort that a Greco-Bulgarian agreement has been reached, relating to the division of Sorbian Macedonia, and that Grcrk officials are already installed in certain parts. _ VON MACKENSEN THROWS A CRUST TO THE BULGARS. (Rec. November 17, 5.15 p.m.) Buoharost, November 16. General von Mackensen informedthe Bulgarian General Staff that all booty captured i>v the Germans and Austrians in Serbia will bo hnnded to the Bulgarians. King Ferdinand replied, thanking von Mackensen for "this generous act." .' RUMANIAN OATS FOR GERMANY-FIRST BIG CONSIGNMENT ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. November 17, 5.25 p.m.) London, November 16. The first consignment to Germany of twenty thousand tons of oats lias left Rumania. ' This confirms the previously reported agreement referring to Germany buying up the Rumanian crops. Thus Germany is using the whole of the grain fields of Poland and the Balkans. PITCHED BATTLE ON THE MIDDLE STYE INTENSE CONFLICT DEVELOPING ENEMY ATTEMPTS TO BREAK THROUGH By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, November 16. Router's Petrograd correspondent_ says that tho fighting on the Middle Styr which is growing in intensity, is culminating in massed fire. The enemy's heavy guns, having failed to turn the Russians, tho enemy is striving to break the line at a favourable point on the Styr. Military critios point out that the fighting is not a rearguard action, but a pitched battle to the left of the river. The Germans forced the population of Vilna to-work at the fortifications, but owing to Gorman brutality disorders occurred. A hundred workmen were shot. The fate of the enemy attacks on the Riga and Chartorv&k districts should be decided in a few days. THE BATTLE OF KEMMERN ENEMY'S TRENCHES "DRENCHED WITH SHELLS." • Petrograd, November 16. Dotails of the capture of Kemmern show that tho enemy's position was drenched with-shells. Tho Russian infantry repelled, counter-attacks, and broke through, reaching'the German entanglements, While one Russian unit look the enemy in the rear, subjecting him to cruel Maxim and rifle fire. The Germans in one trench showed a white flag, but the Russians saw through the device, and did not leave a single man alive. The Russians advanced tSrough thawing snow in the swollen marshes, with a German Maxim posted on every • mound, the men wading,waist-deep in icy water. The fleet splendidly supported tho land forces, the ships' shells bursting far into the' enemy's dispositions and cutting off the reserves. The Germans fled in disorder. RUSSIANS' HAUL OF PRISONERS AND GUNS. . , „ w '+ , . Potrograd, November 16. A communique states: 'We have taken prisoner fifty thousand men and captured twenty-one guns and 118 machine-guns, during tho past month." 1 GREAT STORM GATHERING IN THE WEST PREPARING TO ROLL BACK THE ENEMY JOFFRE'S BIG GUNS PREPARING THE WAY By Tolsgiaph—Press Association—Copyright London, November 16. The Now York "Tribune's" war correspondent, after spending three days on captured ground in the Artois region, says he is confident that the. enemy will be rolled back by a surge that is gathering momentum daily. General joffre's big guns are preparing the way, just as they prepared it for the great assault in September. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports: London, November 17, 8.30 p.m. "There is a general bombardment in France." BOMBARDMENT OF LENS: GERMAN REPORT. (Rec. November 17, 9.55 p.m.) Amsterdam, November 17. A German official communique states tliat tlie enemy's repeated bombardment of Lens killed thirty-three civilians and wounded fifty-five, but did no military damage. ' ON THE BRITISH FRONT IN FLANDERS CANNONADING AT HOOGE AND HILL 60. London, November 16. Router's correspondent at headquarters says that winter has settled down in earnest in Flanders. A week of rain has converted the roads into quagThere has been cannonading at Hooge and Hill 60, and at onr positions at Hullwili and elsewhere. THu uica of tho rnetuit udvanca wo siidteq Uy tho enemy, wlwes aerial tor. ««iacß shoved great activity,

HE POUT FROM SIE JOHN FRENCH., (llec. November 17, 7 p.m.) • London, November 16. .... ®"' J°' ln Fi'oncli reports: "Since my communique of Noverfsber 10, the artillery oil both sides have been especially south of the Lb Bassee Canal, eastward of Keinmel, and east of Ypres. "There have been no infantry actions, but there has 'been considerable mining activity." VIOLENT ATTACK ON BRITISH HEADQUARTERS STAFF-OFFICERS CHARGES OF LAZINESS AND INOOMPE(EffiNOE. (Rec. November 17, 7.35 p.m.) t ~ tt London), November 17. In the House of Lords, Lord Davids violently attacked, "the British Headquarters Stair in France, accusing it of general incompetence and laziness. Jle asserted that there wore a number of young men on the staff who ought to be m the trenches. It was a scandalous tiling that many oived their positions to patronage, and were thrust upon Sir John French. Victory over and over again had been stopped by bad staff work. The gallantry of the soldiers and regimental offioers had been unsurpassed, but their efforts had been thrown away owing to the muddling in high places. Lord Haldane condemned the speaker for launching charges on inadequate information. Though the country had had -the disadvantage- of having to expand its army in France, nevertheless we had evolved Generril Staff work of the highest order. Continuing, the speaker said that Lord St. Davids's complaint about the re. serves not being forthcoming at the battle of Loos was inaccurate. The reserves weroicady ill ample time. That they did not succeed was a- matter concerning the divisions themselves. Loul Sydenham declared that there must have been some reason why a great victory was not gained at Loos. The reason that liad been assigned was that it was duo to faulty staff arrangements. There were two divisions engaged in the attack who never beforo had been under fire; they wore also hungry and tired after a long march. Loos bore a striking resemblance to the story of Nouve Cliapelle. " Lord Crewe said that the whole question of Loos was STjb,judice, as a military inquiry was in progress. He was therefore unable to discuss tho matter.